A pro-democracy activist, Dr Layo Adebiyi, has warned that any coalition formed against President Bola Tinubu’s second term will collapse before the 2027 election.
He gave this warning during a news conference held in Ikeja on Thursday to commemorate June 12 Democracy Day.
Adebiyi, once imprisoned under Gen. Sani Abacha, described President Tinubu as a political continuation of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
He said Awolowo made significant efforts to develop Nigeria but was repeatedly denied the opportunity to lead the nation.
Speaking at the event, which was attended by Abiola’s son, Alh. Lekan Abiola, Adebiyi said he was inspired to write a book on the acclaimed winner of June 12 presidential polls.
The book, he explained, aims to help Nigerians understand the real political manoeuvres behind the scenes of national leadership.
He said: “Awolowo tried to offer national development as President, but he was never allowed the opportunity.
“Abiola won a clear mandate and was loved by the people, but he too was stopped by unseen political forces.
“I’m writing this book to warn that Tinubu represents both Awolowo and Abiola’s legacy, and must not be denied like them.
“The book reveals the realities of Nigeria’s political chess game. I had no initial plan to make it public.”
According to Adebiyi, Abiola’s son insisted on a public launch after reading the manuscript and recognising its historical importance.
He said Lekan Abiola believed the book offered Nigerians access to the true story of his father’s political life.
Adebiyi also recalled that 27 years have passed since Abiola was killed on the day he was meant to be released.
He added that the man who annulled the 1993 election has since revealed the motives behind the act in his memoir, ‘A Journey in Service.’
Lekan Abiola said he once believed nothing new could be written about his father or the history of Nigerian democracy.
However, his mind changed after reading Adebiyi’s manuscript, which detailed his father’s life and political journey across Africa.
He said it helped him understand his father’s wider contributions to the Nigerian society and the global black community.
Lekan noted that while many viewed Abiola as just a politician, the book exposed deeper forces that undermined his ambitions.
He said the annulment of the 1993 election was premeditated, rooted in old political doctrines that resisted power shift.
What struck him most was Adebiyi’s analysis predicting a potential political alliance against President Tinubu’s re-election plans.
“After reading the manuscript, I insisted on a public launch to enlighten Nigerians and democracy advocates,” Lekan said. (NAN)